Scouts observe council meeting

Lime Springs - Kole Balvanz and Matthew Praska from Boy Scout Troop 64 attended the Lime Springs City Council meeting on March 6 as a requirement to get their Duty to the Community Badge. At the end of the meeting, they led the audience and council members in the Pledge of Allegiance.

• In other business from the meeting, Doc Lyon represented the Library, acknowledging, “City has shortened the Library budget  by $2,000 but we made it up.” He went on to mention many of the events that take place at the Library each month, including Social Event for Adults, Handy Work Circle, Color Me Calm, Book Discussion and Bingo. Some special events that took place in February included Valentine Party, Warm Reads for Wild Winter Nights, Game Fun and a special movie. Coming up in March are a Lego program and Easter Coloring Contest.

• The Community Center applied for grants for heating and cooling upgrades. Board members also dealt with a lower budget. Ed Hampe joked, “We sharpened our pencils!”

• For the Pool & Park Board, Harlan Larson resigned from the board. Grants were written for swimming pool paint, field improvements at the ball park and replacing picnic tables at Brown Park. 

• Council voted to vacate Rock Street, which is an unused alley that runs behind the houses on the west side of North Forest Street.

• An easement on property owned near Rock Street by Emerson Leid is nearly completed. It should be finalized at the April Council meeting.

• Council member Brad Johnson asked Public Works Director Casey Sebastian when the light pole by the Locker was going to be taken down. It has been leaning for three months after being hit by a car.

Sebastian replied Ryon Brothers was able to do it, but Alliant needs two days notice.

Johnson challenged, “It needs to be taken down. It could fall on a car, and we’d be liable.”

• Council then talked about the latest snowfall, and complaints from locals about road conditions. The plow had broken on Tuesday, so it could not be used. It was noted there will always be complaints.

• Darrel Elsbernd of CIA Insurance then gave quotes on the City insurance. “It’s always a good thing to go over the policy again with a new council. It’s a very inclusive package,” he said.

The policy covers buildings and contents as well as $2 million in liability coverage, employment practices liability, public entity/public officials, special events (such as Sweet Corn Days, Santa and Easter), cyber liability and employee theft.

• There were two complaints. 

~ One was a third complaint against dogs at large. 

Council person Amy Norton stated, “This concerns me, especially with [Brown Park] being there and a child being there.”

There had been no response from the home owner on the previous complaints in 2016 and 2017.

Policy on a third complaint is to have the animal(s) removed from City limits within seven days. If not, the sheriff will be called.

~ The other letter was against a home owner whose dogs constantly bark, their mess smells, garbage blows around, and broken-down vehicles are parked in yard.

It was noted all the vehicles are currently registered, so they are not considered junk vehicles. In addition, there is no ordinance about smell, but a letter will be sent about barking dogs.

• It was noted Thais Ann (Bronner) Folta, of Miller, Pearson, Gloe, Burns, Beatty & Parish, PLC of Decorah accepted the proposal to be the City’s attorney. Council had voted on it at their special meeting/budget workshop on Feb. 20.

A public hearing was held March 13 on the budgets. The next regular council meeting will be Tuesday, April 3.